Missing a synth to complete my set.

[Trancer]

I compose Trance and Melodic Techno.

For the moment I have an Access Virus TI2 and a Nord Lead A1, an Akai Force.

I sold a lot of equipment because too much equipment and too much dispersion.

I'm going to buy a Moog Minitaur to get the Moog bass sound.

I would like to expand my sound palette and take one last machine.

I was thinking of Syntakt, quite simply to bring a little analog and sequence even if mono.

At one point I thought of a Hydrasynth, but wasn't really convinced, more apparently a noise and effects machine and from what I've heard, I'm not sure it really brings me added value.

Thank you in advance for your feedback and opinions.

[cryophonik]

I compose Trance and Melodic Techno.
.
I was thinking of Syntakt, quite simply to bring a little analog and sequence even if mono.

I wouldn’t recommend the Syntakt if you’re looking for a synth. Yes, it has mono synth engines, but it’s primarily a drum machine/groovebox and there are better options for a techno synth with a sequencer, the most obvious one being the Analog Four mk2.

[chk071]

I always miss the one synth to complete my set as well.

Just good that I never got into hardware...

[egbert101]

I would say, trance is probably more software synths. However, maybe take a look at Novation Peak, as it's got some pretty clean oscillators, and analog filter, and wavetable capable. If you want to splash out, maybe Novation Summit is more your thing as it's basically two Peaks in one.

[chk071]

I would say, trance is probably more software synths.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure that 99% of it is made with software these days. At least that's what I've seen in 100% of production videos I've watched.

No wonder, considering the workflow advantages of in-the-box.

[Trancer]

Thank you for your responses and opinions.

The sacred Analog Four MK2.

Most certainly a very good choice, only to arrive at the quintessence of this machine, a great dive of manipulation to achieve a result.

I rather prefer a fairly immediate machine.

Which still prevents me from buying it one day.

It's true that the solution has a plethora of choices, but I abandoned this option (except for recording).

I prefer the Dawless option

Concerning the Summit, not a duplicate with the Virus Ti2 and the Nord Lead A1?

[thecontrolcentre]

How about an East Beast or a Taiga if you want a more "immediate" analog machine ...

[cryophonik]

Concerning the Summit, not a duplicate with the Virus Ti2 and the Nord Lead A1?

The Summit is a digital (osc) and analog (filters) hybrid, so it has a different flavor than the Virus and Nord Leads, although I think it's probably closer in sound to the Nords than it is to the Virus.

It's hard to make a recommendation without better understanding what you're looking for. In your OP, you mentioned interest in the sequencer:

I was thinking of Syntakt, quite simply to bring a little analog and sequence even if mono.

That makes me think you'd be better off with something like a Sequential Pro-3, which has a killer sequencer and is a great techno synth. It's a monophonic/3-voice paraphonic synth. Maybe even an Arturia MatrixBrute or a Take 5, although I've never owned either of them (and would take a Pro-3 over either of them).

[zerocrossing]

At one point I thought of a Hydrasynth, but wasn't really convinced, more apparently a noise and effects machine and from what I've heard, I'm not sure it really brings me added value.

I can’t speak for whether or not it would bring you added value, but to call it a “noise and effects machine” is a mistake. It’s a very capable machine that can do a very wide range of sounds.

[Etienne1973]

Some Waldorf flavor? I always liked their synths' distinctive sound character. Modern Classics.

[sin night]

I never tried the Hydrasynth, but don't dismiss it, it seems a very capable synth from what I heard in various videos.

I'm not into trance and melodic techno (I don't mind a bit of melodic techno, but I'm more into deep/soulful house and a bit of techno), so take my advice with a grain of salt... but, have you used/owned an Arturia Microfreak? It's a cheap hybrid monophonic (paraphonic) synth, it has a lot of different oscillators modes and it sounds good; I think it could be an option (I don't have much experience with it, though! I bought one just a few months and I didn't play it much so far). You could use it for bass, arps, leads...

Which role would cover the new synth in your setup? the first thing I can think of (although it's not the only solution) is Virus for lead/supersaw and the Nord for arp/plucks (and Minitaur for bass, of course)? Then a little synth could provide arpeggio or lead parts, either supporting the Virus/Nord combo or freeing one of them. But maybe you have something different in mind and maybe you need a poly, I don't know...


Although... mmm.. I don't know, but I would consider a Subsequent 25 instead of a Minitaur, because it's more aggressive (which I think it's a good thing for trance) and it can do a lot more than a Minitaur. The downsides are the size and the price in comparison to a Minitaur... I love the Minitaur (I have one), but if I had to make a setup with a limited amount of synth geared towards trance and melodic techno, I'm not sure it would be my first choice. I have no direct experience with the synths in the Sub* line (I don't have room/money to buy those too... but I have other Moog synths).


Speaking of aggressive synths, a Roland SE-02 could be a nice option, too. It has some limitation (small knobs, parameters with 128 step resolution...), but it can be quite aggressive.

[egbert101]

Maybe a Korg MS-20 type synth (Behringer K2?) for making drum sounds etc.

[Trancer]

Thank you very much for your responses and opinions.

Regarding the Take 5, Pro 3 and the Matrixbrute, I agree, the Pro 3 is certainly the best choice.

Now, even if money is not a concern for this purchase, putting 700 more than the original price of the Pro 3, no way.

Coming back to the Pro 3, well beyond the excessive asking price, there were bugs and some instability of the bone.

The crisis and the war have a good back, at some point we have to stop with all that.

The increase is mainly due to the acquisition of Focusrite.

Besides, same unreasonable increase at Moog, 2000 euros for a Subsequent 37, we must not mess around.

Parenthesis which closes with the increase in price.

I had a Subsequent 37, I sold it.

Quite simply, too many functions that I won't use.

I'm just looking for the Moog sound, the why, I was thinking of the Minitaur.

Just add a keyboard (Keystep 37 style arpeggiator/sequencer), even if not easy to use, minikeys not great.

I even told myself at one point to take the Syntakt to use the excellent Elektron sequencer and the Syntakt remains a good product despite everything.

Unfortunately the Subsequent 25 lost the arpeggiator and sequencer of the Model 37 which also made it very interesting.

Regarding the Hydrasynth, I'm not saying it's a bad synth, but I haven't seen any very interesting videos that demonstrate the potential of this machine.

No longer seen squeaker videos, the why of my words.

Now perhaps an instrument that is not easy to handle, but at this moment, it is better not to make videos, because it undermines the product.

I love Waldorf, I had a Blofeld, excellent machine.

The big problem, recurring problem with the knobs, known to Waldorf and never been changed, yet the model is still on sale.

Buying machines knowing that there are known unresolved issues, I don't do.

Really a shame, because I really liked the Blofeld.

The Minirofreak option, just like the Minilogue XD as well.

Two great synths and a very good machine for the Minifreak.

But not yet the sound is looking for.

The role of this synth is to bring another sound palette, another territory, but which must be compatible with my musical style.

Same combination I was thinking of actually.

For the pads both.

Excellent suggestion on 02, he sends wood as they say.

But given my large hands and fingers, handling will not be at all easy, if not impossible.

Roland and its shops.....

This is the kind of synth that we make in normal size.

Too bad not a synth like the Roland SE-02, but in normal size.

For the drums, I use not only the Akai Force.

I talked about Syntakt, it could be useful for the rhythmic side in addition to other applications.

Out of curiosity, I will still study your idea, it could be a very good idea.

[cryophonik]

Coming back to the Pro 3, well beyond the excessive asking price, there were bugs and some instability of the bone.

There were no more bugs than any other synth has, but to my knowledge, Sequential has addressed all or most of them by now and I've never experience any of them. Yes, it's expensive, but you get what you pay for and the Pro 3 is a LOT of synth for the money.

I talked about Syntakt, it could be useful for the rhythmic side in addition to other applications.

Yeah, I hope my earlier reply did not come across wrong. I love my Syntakt and it's a very cool rhythmic machine, but I just wouldn't recommend it over a proper synth, if that's what you are looking for. But, if you are looking for a drum machine/groovebox, Syntakt is great and I highly recommend it, probably more for techno than trance. For trance, I prefer a sample-based machine like Digitakt. Or, a RYTM mk2 is the best of both worlds.

[chk071]

TBH, for the kind of music you're aiming for, I think you already own the perfect synth for that (the Virus). It's just Kauflust, isn't it?